The University of Minnesota School of Public Health invites entries to a worldwide public service announcement contest

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (September 18, 2008) – The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is sponsoring its 3rd annual “It’s Global” Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest. School of Public Health (SPH) officials hope it will attract talented novice and seasoned filmmakers from across the country and beyond to heed the call and submit their work.

The contest provides filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their original work while making a statement on global public health topics such as pollution, nutrition, refugee health, climate change, clean water, infectious disease and preparing for natural disasters.

“Public health issues lend themselves to the engaging medium of film and I’m eager to see what bold statements entrants make as a part of this contest,” said John R. Finnegan, Jr., SPH dean.

Entrants will get to test their talent as they describe a public health problem, identify a potential solution and present, via film media, a clear call to action. The entries must be 30 seconds or less (without credits).

Select entries will be showcased, Monday, April 6, 2009, and the $250 youth category first-place prize and the adult category $500 first-place prize will be awarded. All entries will be screened throughout SPH sponsored National Public Health Week Film Festival (April 6-11) in Minneapolis.

The 2008 PSA Contest winners were all under the age of 14. Trish Peterson, Saddie Haddow, and Emily Sylvestre wrote, directed, and composed the music for their PSA called “Alone.” To view past entries, including the 2008 winners, please go to www.sph.umn.edu/psa.

Find out more about the competition and how to submit your entry, by visiting www.sph.umn.edu/psa or contact the School of Public Health via e-mail at: film@umn.edu


For more than 60 years, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health has been among the top accredited schools of public health in the nation. With a mission focused on research, teaching, and service, the school attracts more than $75 million in sponsored research each year, has more than 100 faculty members and more than 1,200 students, and is engaged in community outreach activities locally, nationally and in dozens of countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.sph.umn.edu.

Contact:
Diana Harvey, School of Public Health, 612-625-7134
Nichole Marthaler, School of Public Health, 612-626-9303